iGaming Industry
Kenya lottery sues gov’t over planned gambling tax hikes
A Kenyan lottery operator has sued the government over its plans to hike gambling taxes by 35% starting next year.
On Thursday, Business Daily Africa reported that the Pambazuka National Lottery(PNL) had filed a High Court lawsuit against Kenya’s Betting Control and Licensing Board, the National Assembly, the Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner-General and the Attorney General over the gambling tax hikes approved earlier this year.
PNL’s lawsuit claims the tax hikes – which replaced variable tax rates on betting, gaming, lottery and sweepstakes operators with a uniform 35% rate – were unconstitutional, in that parliament approved them as part of a national budget, not standalone legislation, which would have required greater public input.
The tax hike is set to take effect on January 1, 2018 and PNL’s lawyers claim that PNL and other Kenyan gambling operators “will likely suffer closure as well as collapse” if the Court doesn’t act before that date.
PNL isn’t the first Kenyan firm to challenge the tax hike in court. In April, sports betting operator Sportpesa filed its own lawsuit against the government’s original plan, which would have seen the gambling tax hiked to 50%. For what it’s worth, Sportpesa is a PNL partner and PNL products are available via Sportpesa’s website.
Complicating matters, Kenya is enduring some serious political upheaval at the moment, as the country is headed into a presidential election on October 26 – the second such national poll in less than three months – after the country’s supreme court nullified President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August victory due to electoral ‘irregularities.’
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is boycotting the upcoming vote due to suspicions that it will be subject to similar irregularities and has called for public protests to force changes to the country’s electoral commission.
SPORTPESA URGES SPORTS STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE ACTION
Meanwhile, SportPesa launched a new campaign this week intended to boost Kenya’s sports profile on the world stage. The new ‘Tujiamini’ campaign urges stakeholders at all levels to do what they can to help bring the local sports ecosystem up to global standards.
On hand for this week’s campaign launch was SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri, who said Kenya had “a proud sporting history” thanks to athletes that had brought glory to the nation in international competitions. Karauri challenged sports stakeholders, including himself, on whether they were “doing enough to uphold this legacy.”
Karauri’s words stand in stark contrast to his warnings this June that SportPesa would likely be forced to scrap its many sponsorship deals with local sports bodies as of January 1 due to the financial hardships the new betting tax would impose on his company. It remains to be seen whether this week’s campaign represents a sober rethink of the original plan, or a reminder of what the nation’s sporting world stands to lose.…
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Source: EEGaming.
Supremeland Gaming, the emerging brand in American iGaming, announced the approval of an interim Supplier License in West Virginia, further solidifying its position as a key player in the rapidly expanding iGaming industry. This milestone marks the company’s third approval following the successful acquisition of the first approvals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Supremeland Gaming is approved to operate under this interim license and is now authorized to offer its cutting-edge innovation to the Mountain State.
Supremeland’s game portfolio has garnered international appeal since its debut in November 2023. The innovative brand promises cutting-edge slot play, combining immersive storytelling, state-of-the-art graphics, and impressive bonuses.
Rickard Öhrn, CEO of Supremeland Gaming, said: “The acquisition of our interim Supplier License in West Virginia is a pivotal step in our journey, reflecting on our dedication to delivering innovative experiences to a broader audience. As we expand our footprint, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering, and we look forward to contributing to the vibrant gaming landscape in the Mountain State.”
Supremeland is gaining traction for its emerging portfolio of top-notch games, including Red Panda Rising and the international debut title, Munition Mine, underscoring its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the iGaming industry.
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is continuing its momentum in the Latin American market, after signing an agreement to take its three biggest products live with Betsala.
The agreement will see Pragmatic Play’s full portfolio of award-winning Slot content go live, including recently released Slot titles Loki’s Riches and The Big Dawgs in addition to familiar player-favourites such as Sugar Rush and Gates of Olympus.
Betsala customers will soon gain access to Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino products upon integration being completed. The sector has been a focus for the provider over the previous 12 months with releases such as the dynamic Treasure Island game show which complements Pragmatic Play’s comprehensive range of casino classics such as Roulette, Mega Roulette, and Blackjack which are also available on the platform.
Completing the product offering is Pragmatic Play’s cutting-edge 3D renderings of popular sports such as horse and greyhound racing, football, and motorsports.
The latest LatAm development for Pragmatic Play sees it further boost its profile across the region where it has cemented its status as a leading supplier of casino experiences.
Victor Arias, Vice President of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Proving LatAm is still a key source of growth, Pragmatic Play is delighted to now count Betsala as another valued partner in the region.
“Pragmatic Play’s three leading products will soon be on the platform, and we look forward to even more players discovering its robust and engaging offering.”
Albert Bellavista, CEO at Betsala, said: “Pragmatic Play has built a stellar reputation across Latin America for its high-quality experiences, and we welcome them as our latest partner to bolster our offering and provide more thrills than ever.
“Most iGaming enthusiasts worldwide are already familiar with Pragmatic Play’s titles and we know the upcoming addition of its content will come with a great response from our players.”
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, is set to make another appearance at a Latin American summit, at SAGSE LATAM in Buenos Aires.
Taking place across two days from March 20th-21st, the event sees iGaming professionals gather at Buenos Aires’ Hilton Hotel for the 32nd edition of the iconic exhibition.
SAGSE LATAM marks the second summit attended by Pragmatic Play in Latin America in 2024, with its new immersive proposal Pragmatic Play Experience, after an extremely successful exhibition tour in 2023, which saw the provider make inroads across the continent and impress industry representatives.
The gaming provider will be at Stand 120 to showcase its diverse portfolio, including Slots, Live Casino, Virtual Sports and Bingo content, alongside its brand-new Sportsbook solution.
In addition, Pragmatic Play will be a platinum sponsor of the event, highlighting the importance of such industry exhibitions and the vital role the leading provider plays in them.
Victor Arias, VP of Latin American Operations at ARRISE powering Pragmatic Play, said: “Pragmatic Play is proud to be a platinum sponsor of SAGSE LATAM and to be influential in shaping the future of the Latin American iGaming market. With a comprehensive multi-product offerings and solutions, it is poised to capitalise on the immense opportunities that the region presents.
“With an exciting range of panel discussions and interactivities that the conference brings, it is set to be yet another momentous date in the LATAM gaming calendar.”
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